Ep. 318. 2 Corinthians 8-9 | Giving

EPISODE 318

GIVING: 2 CORINTHIANS 8-9

This is the longest single text in Scripture on giving as it relates to the believer of the New Covenant, and one could argue that it is the longest text in the Bible on giving of any kind.

It would do us well to remember that Paul was earlier (2 Corinthians 2:17) talking about the "peddlers" of God's word. In a later chapter (2 Corinthians 11:7), he will ask, "Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?" Again, Paul contrasts himself with the so-called super-apostles who commend themselves and demand payment. Paul will again say (12:13), "For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!" You can almost hear his sarcasm with this statement. It is as though he said, "I'm sorry I didn't charge you when I came to you. That was so mean of me."

These two chapters, which we considered in today's video, deal with the only time Paul asked for money from the Corinthians. It related to a gift they had promised to send to the saints in Jerusalem. These two chapters could seem like a complete side note to what Paul had been talking about previously if not for the other verses we've already alluded to showing the nature of the false apostles compared to the likes of Paul and the other true apostles.

There are a few key things for us to glean from this text about how to give and the nature of giving, but since I have already covered those with you in the video, I won't revisit them here. Just keep sight of the intent of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, and then you will see clearly how these two chapters fit in with the whole.

ADDITIONAL READING: Exodus 16:18; Psalm 112:9